The conscience clause legislation (C-207) introduced by Reform MP Maurice Vellacott is scheduled for debate in the House of Commons tomorrow. The bill would protect the employment and education rights of health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions and therefore, simply affirms Charter of Rights protections that are not currently being enforced across the country. The bill received the written support of over 100 Members of Parliament from several, if not all, parties in the House.
Despite the strong non-partisan support for the bill, it was unexpectedly ruled non-votable by the Parliamentary committee for Private Members Business. This Liberal-dominated committee decision took pro-life MPs and grassroots advocates by surprise. Jim Hughes, head of Campaign Life Coalition, responded “This is a distressing situation. All the MPs were told that if 100 of them signed onto a bill it would become votable. The long arm of Jean Chrétien and his flunkies has reached into the committee and stifled democracy.” Hughes further stated that “One wonders how the MPs on this committee can face their confreres in the House after knuckling under to the Liberals’ pro-abortion agenda.”
Since the bill was ruled non-votable it cannot become law. Furthermore, it will only receive one hour of debate in the House of Commons instead of the three hours given to votable items.